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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Changing the Earl's Mind (The Lords of Whitehall #3) by Kristen McLean

18+ "This was a fast pace thrilling read that hooks you from the first page. As the author takes you from one twist into a turn and back around again you are left holding your breath waiting to see what will happen next. [...]. I really like the way the author brings the plot to life with thrills that pull you in. The buildup of this story from one issue to the next is exciting. It is well written with a wonderful plot. " - Cynthia, Goodreads

Description:

Can easily be read as a standalone!

A man who knows everything…

For nearly a decade, Drake Ramsey, the disciplined and logical Earl of Saint Brides, has been the driving force behind the Home Office; meeting with foreign leaders to negotiate treaties, spurring a lethargic Parliament into action, and directing a secret army of spies. The last thing he wants to find while taking a well-deserved vacation is a dangerous fugitive. Nevertheless, when he catches a beautiful murderess hiding in his hunting cabin, he has little choice but to bring her to justice, landing himself in a battle for control he could never hope to win.

…meets a woman determined to prove him wrong.

Marrying a stranger simply to gain access to her dowry and travel the world, admittedly, was the biggest mistake of Sarah Tindall’s life. In fact, she would readily admit to making several big mistakes. Killing her husband, however, is not one of them. When a starchy lord takes it upon himself to bring her to a London prison, she is determined to escape him and prove her innocence, yet every attempt ends with her back in her handsome captor’s arms. Even if her innocence is proven, his forbidden and passionate kisses leave her uncertain if escape was ever an option.

GUEST POST

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

I’m ashamed to say I do very little research before I begin writing. Ideas for plots/characters usually hit me long before I’m ready to write the story, so I’ll jot down a scene or two and a course outline without any real thought. Later, after I’ve begun writing the book I’ll work out the fine details of the plot and change things as needed. The real research happens then.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

Saint Brides was a character I came up with while writing the first book in the series, BEHIND THE MARQUESS’S MASK. I knew I needed a man who liked rules and was very black and white in order to push the hero around a bit, but I wanted him to be likeable without giving too many of his secrets away, which I think I managed. CHANGING THE EARL’S MIND is fun because I finally get to show off a softer, more charming side of his personality.

Sarah’s character I came up with knowing she needed to offset Saint Brides’ grumpy rigidity, and bring out the child in him. She’s a strong, independent woman who is very capable of taking care of herself. She’s funny and a bit mouthy at times. Since Saint Brides is all about protocol and rules, I decided to make Sarah a fugitive from justice, just to push his buttons. I knew this had to start out as a situation where he knew he was 100% right and she knew she was 100% right, and they simply couldn’t agree. They had to both be very strong characters, otherwise this wouldn’t work.

Kristen McLean is a regency-era romance novelist with a flair for humor and suspense. She has always had a love of novels, with a special place in her heart for historical romance. Now she has the pleasure of writing at home, tucked away in a forest with her husband, two children, and their cat. Her husband is loving and impressively patient, their two beautiful children strive to embarrass and exhaust her, and the cat hates everyone, but tolerates—well, she tolerates whoever will feed her.

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